MORE NEW COUSINS

Hi All......

What a nice relaxing day we had - Joey and Alyssa finally met their new baby cousin Katrina and they just adored her. These days we never really know what to expect with our four year old and almost three year old as it seems that they are always testing the waters with some new behavior - sometimes we laugh and other times we just walk away and try to act like they aren't ours (too bad that they look like a little Phil and Jeanine- so there we are stuck). Our Alyssa has been carrying around a tiny picture of Katrina for days and we have taught her "This is Katrina, I don't hit her" so she remembered and was on her best behavior with her new, very sweet, very tiny cousin. Joe loved her and sat immediately and played as if he had known her all along - but, then again Joe is a lover - and our little peace maker. We had a nice lunch, learned about our new little family member and the children ran together. All good things must come to an end - our little girl was fading fast from her prior day of excitement so we made our exit. Alyssa kissed all three dogs. Katrina kissed Joe. Jeanine kissed Alicia. And Phil wanted to kiss Dustin ......just kidding. Alyssa told Dustin "That was a great DINNER" and we made our way home. On the way home we talked about our cousin and how much we "LOVE" her and Alyssa whacked sleeping Joe with her new Filipino made fan she got from Alicia and got in trouble - that was how we knew we were home. We had such a nice day and wish we lived closer so we could do this more often. Enjoy these pictures - they weren't easy to get with 2, 3, and 4 year olds - notice how nice the dogs posed. :)

Jeanine

Big Party Coming Up

I am hoping that I am going to be able to meet some of you this weekend. My mommy & daddy are having an open house. I thought that I had met all the people that I needed to meet, but I guess there are more of you out there that need to get to meet me. How in the world am I going to remember all of you? I sure hope you stay in my life for a long time so that I can start putting faces with names.

I also heard that there was going to be some Filipino food at the open house. I have missed my pancit and can't wait to have it again.

I got to see my gramma and gramps yesterday. My daddy has been mowing their lawn because grampa is sick and gramma says she can't pull the chord to get the mower started (do you think that is true?). I get to do my "happy all over" move for gramma and she laughs and laughs.

Have you ever been to a rummage sale? I have already been to several with mommy, Auntie Kate, Elle and Auntie Kate's sister Karen. I can't believe all of you have so much stuff - that is now my stuff!!!!

Well, I just wanted to let you know I continue to grow, continue to eat good meals, I get lots of sleep and can't wait to see you this weekend. I hope the weather is good so we can be outside.

Love, Katrina

Just in time for my mommy's birthday!

I am growing so fast! Learning new things each day, perfecting them, and moving on to the next thing that catches my eye. I have 2 new words/phrases! I surprised my mommy just in time for her birthday..."Mumma!" and "Aaahh duhh" for "All done!" I am so proud of myself that I smile and giggle after I say them! My favorite books remain "I Love You Through and Through" from Tita Diana and Tito Ulises, and "Binky" from my cousins Jeanine, Alyssa, and Joe! I love how both books have babies crying in them. For some reason I think it is silly, but I always make sure to kiss the sad faces on the page. I am eating good. I love peas, and I love Fruity Cheerios, Cheerios, and Lucky Charms. I have even started to try and feed myself using my spoon! I can't believe it! I am so proud I am becoming a BIG girl. I have woken up every morning this week with a smile on my face and ready to watch Dora and Handy Manny. My mommy is amazed that I am now able to fit shapes into my shape bucket. I understand so much when she talks to me now. I will meet with the Adoption Specialists and my team of doctors on May 11th for another evaluation. They will check to see that everything is going well for me--I think they will be amazed at how far I've come...I can't wait to see all of you at my Welcome Home party!